Inside Government is a Q&A series that gives New Yorkers a glimpse inside the role of the elected officials who represent them. This edition of Inside Government with PoliticsNY, sponsored by AARP New York City, features New York City Council Member Shekar Krishnan. Council Member Krishnan represents the 25th Council District in Queens which includes Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and Woodside.
What are your goals for 2026?
New Yorkers made it clear that we need a more affordable city, so I’ve focused on delivering for working families. I’ve passed legislation to decriminalize street vending so no one goes to jail for trying to earn income, and the strongest worker protections for Uber and Lyft drivers in the nation. As chair of the Oversight Committee, I will expand that work by holding corporations, landlords and anyone who takes advantage of New Yorkers accountable.
How does your work in the City Council affect constituents in their daily lives?
As the representative for the most diverse neighborhoods in the country, everything my office does centers voices that often aren’t heard or seen in City Hall. Last year, we delivered on much-needed public resources – expanding the Jackson Heights Library to seven-day service, bringing affordable housing and the first-ever community swimming pool to our district, and renaming our “gold standard” 34th Avenue Open Streets, “Paseo Park.”
What services does your office provide to constituents?
Our office is centered around constituent services – solving 3,500 cases last year. We are proud to be an office that will go the extra mile – working to ensure city agencies deliver for New Yorkers and neighbors get the resources they need. If someone comes to our office seeking help with bad landlords, something broken in a playground, or potholes in a road, our office will do everything in our power to fix it.
What is the top issue in your district and how are you working to resolve it?
Our office has heard from so many neighbors living in buildings in desperate need of repairs that go unaddressed by greedy landlords. One of the worst landlords in NYC, A&E, has over 2,000 violations in Jackson Heights alone. Whether it’s standing with Mayor Mamdani to announce a $2.1 million settlement for A&E tenants or launching investigations into uncollected housing violation fines, I will always work to hold bad landlords accountable.
From AARP New York City: Will you commit to raising the percentage of the overall NYC budget that goes to NYC Aging/DFTA to ensure older adults can age with dignity in the communities they helped build?
I’ve always fought for and will continue to fight for our older adults and to ensure NYC Aging/DFTA has the resources they need. Every New Yorker should be able to age with dignity and in the communities they helped build. I’m proud to fund many programs for senior centers and bring more resources to NORCs in our district.
